This study analyzes the ‘real' effects of accounting standards in the context of defined benefit pension plans. Specifically, we examine IAS 19R, which increases expected pension-induced equity volatility by eliminating the so-called ‘corridor method', a smoothing device for actuarial gains...

Beginning in 2005, the EU began requiring consolidated financial reports of publicly traded firms to be prepared in accordance with EU-endorsed International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in an effort to increase the comparability of financial information across EU Member States. While...